comitan - 2-13-2008 at 04:47 PM
I thought I had gotten through every water pump problem I could have, but no now I have a problem where the pump will only raise the pressure to 22
lbs, I took the pump in today they said there was nothing wrong with it
, but they replaced a seal anyway. I bring it back its the same I have lowered and raised the pressure tank air and nothing makes any difference.
DENNIS - 2-13-2008 at 04:52 PM
Maybe it's the switch. They can be adjusted or replaced inexpensivly. What preasure are you looking for, Wiley? I use a 30/50 switch.
pressure
baron - 2-13-2008 at 05:06 PM
I assume it is a centrifugal pump? Does it have a footvalve or jet attached to the pump or the end of the pickup? Is it then a jet centrifugal or
simple one stage centrifugal? Has this poor performance happened over time or over nite? Could be lots of things depending on your answer to this
question
overnite:
obstruction in input (jet or footvalve)
material stuck in impeller or diffuser.
drop in electrical input(usually works in 240v or 120v depending on setting)
overtime:
corrosion
foreign object in system as well
Revolucion Jeff
Saludes to the Comitose neighborhood!
comitan - 2-13-2008 at 05:08 PM
Thanks Dennis not the switch, I've adjusted that I had to lower it to get it to cutoff at the lower pressure the pump will not raise the pressure up
for the switch to cutoff.
Bob and Susan - 2-13-2008 at 05:45 PM
you may need a anti-backflow valve
just before the intake part of the pump
the pressure MAY be leaking there
if you cant keep the pressure up only using the pump this is a cheap easy fix
comitan - 2-13-2008 at 07:19 PM
Bob
The one that was on it was new thats why I didn't consider it, but just got through changing it didn't make any difference. I guess its a new pump.
Steve&Debby - 2-13-2008 at 07:57 PM
Baron is on the right track with his questions,Baron sounds like you may have worked on some pumps at some time. The only other things I can think of
are, Assumeing that the pump is a centrifigal with no jet
1 Has the water level in the well dropped?
2 On some pumps the Impeller is adjustable, if the nose ring on the impeller is worn the impeller can be adjusted to comensate for the wear.
3 Are you sure you do not have any broken pipes or valves on somewhere? You would be suprised how many service calls I go on and the pump is fine but
there is a broken pipe or a valve open and the home owner says "No water running anywhere"
4 Foot valve or check valve partially plugged or worn and not opening all the way
If the pump has a jet attached to the pump the same things would apply plus;
The jet assembly could have a small rock or some other obstruction in the venturi witch would cause the pump to not build pressure.In this case you
would have to remove the jet assembly and unscrew the venturi and clean it out. Some jets are bolted to the pump base with two bolts, some actually
screw in to the side of the pump looks like a plastic plug about 1 inch or 1 1/4 inch,this kind just unscrew it and check for any blockage.Make sure
all gaskets or o-rings are good,A suction leak can cause big problems.
If the pump has two pipes going down the well then the jet assembly is at the bottom of the two pipes and the same things apply. Also check the drop
pipe or pipes for leaks. When the pump builds the 22 psi does the pressure hold or does it bleed off?
Lots of things it could be,Let me know what brand the pump is and the model number and I may be able to narrow it down
I would be glad to do a service call for you,travel time may be a little tough on you though since I am in northern California
We will be back in Santispec in December, If you can get by until then the travel time would be alot less
:
For a fellow Nomad I would offer a 50% discount on travel but the cervasa to get there and back will kill ya
comitan - 2-13-2008 at 08:12 PM
The pump is a Starite 1/2 HP from cistern The pipes into the cistern have checkvalves on them then at the pump is another 1" checkvalve. This just
started when I changed the 1" checkvalve, I could blow through it with difficulty, the new one I could not. Its going up to the 22lbs fast and when I
loosen the line there is a lot of water spraying, when I shut it off the pressure holds maybe 30 sec's then drops fast. In the morning I will put a
valve cutting off the lune to the house and see what happens. The insides of the pump have been checked.
wiley
bajajudy - 2-13-2008 at 08:33 PM
I know nothing about pumps...oh really Judy
But I do know that you always go back to the last place you worked. Why did you change the valve?
Steve&Debby - 2-13-2008 at 08:34 PM
Wiley, Is the cistern above ground or is it below ground? You say pipes into the cistern, both of the pipes go in to the pump? Is one pipe
bigger than the other?What model is the Sta-Rite pump? I am a Sta-Rite dealer. the valve on the discharge of the pump is a good idea,that way you can
eliminate any leaks beond the discharge of the pump.Is the pressure switch mounted on the pump or is it on the tank or discharge pipe? What type of
pressure tank is on the system?
Steve
comitan - 2-13-2008 at 08:45 PM
Judy
The welder that hooked into the power panel used it as a step.
Steve Model # FSNC-L 2 below ground cisterns 1 pipe into each, the switch is on the pump. Pressure tank is bladder type 15Gal Con-Aire.
wiley
Steve&Debby - 2-13-2008 at 09:29 PM
Wiley
It looks like you have a self-priming cast iron shallow well jet pump. the jet is built in the case,there is a clean out plug just below the suction
on the case. Take the plug out and make sure the venturi is clean, you can do this with some water and a small wire to clear any obstruction.
You say the welder used the pump as a step to hook into the power,did the welder change the voltage to the pump? The motor should be dual voltage
220 or 110. If the voltage was changed either the motor should be changed to the proper voltage or the power supply changed back to the proper
voltage,220 would be the best. If the voltage was changed it could have damaged the start capacitor. Does the pump start up like it had started before
the welder did his work?
Steve
Peloncito - 2-13-2008 at 10:25 PM
I did not read every response so forgive me if this has already been stated. In my tank/pump's case & apparently yours, there is an internal
bladder inside the tank. Mine developed a small tear thereby leaking and hence unable to maintain pressure. I purchased a new tank and all is well.
Worth looking into. I performed several pressure tests and noticed the tank giving out at a certain PSI every time which tipped me off.
Mike
castaway$ - 2-13-2008 at 11:17 PM
Could be your pressure tank, you need to check the pressure surrounding the bladder which creates the pressure to the dwelling. Most pressure tanks
have an air fitting on top try giving it a shot of air from your compressor to the desired pressure level.
Steve&Debby - 2-14-2008 at 09:03 AM
Wiley
Let me know if the pump holds pressure when you get the new valve installed,then we will go over the proper air setting in your captive air pressure
tank. Well i gotta go slay the dragon. Will check back this evening.
Steve
comitan - 2-14-2008 at 03:38 PM
Well we have a total new water system changed everything the last item the water pump and that was it. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Bob and Susan - 2-14-2008 at 03:59 PM
what kind of pump did you buy?
same thing?
Amps?
Horses?
$$$$?
comitan - 2-14-2008 at 04:58 PM
1/2 hp Sta-rite 9amps 2600 pesos same as the first one 12 years old.
DENNIS - 2-14-2008 at 05:02 PM
Next time, buy a 3/4 horse. Bigger is better.
Steve&Debby - 2-14-2008 at 09:44 PM
Wiley
Thats one way to fix the problem,Replace everything. Did you replace the tank also? Make sure the air pressure in the tank is set properly. The
pressure in the tank should be 2 pis less than the pis the pressure switch is set to turn on at. If the pressure switch is set to turn the pump on at
40 psi then the pressure in the tank should be 38 psi. This done when the tank has no water in it. Hope this helps and everything is working properly
Steve
my 2 cents.....
Bedman - 2-17-2008 at 03:04 AM
or.... what I found out about my water pressure problem...
I w as having similiar problems.... found 2 small pieces of PVC glue had broken free on the tank side (inlet) of the pump. pried them out with a small
piece of wire and Viola!!
Hope this helps.
Bedman
shari - 2-17-2008 at 08:07 AM
Gee whiz, I wish I hadn't opened this thread, we were thinking of getting a pump to increase shower pressure...but ummm....maybe NOT!
comitan - 2-17-2008 at 09:45 AM
The pump was 12yrs old, the pump was all clear, there was much corrosion in the cast iron pump I could have taken it to a machine shop and had an area
reamed out with a larger seal and maybe ok, but after getting the new pump and so quiet I'm glad for the new one.